The way in which the world filters water is continually evolving. However, regardless of the advancements made, water contamination continues to be a global problem. Some of the richest nations on the planet still struggle with maintaining a stable filtration rate. This is in part due to a number of infrastructure related issues that can lead to large sources of contaminated drinking water becoming infected with bacteria known to cause serious illnesses. For example, different viruses, bacteria and parasites can find their way into surrounding rivers, lakes and streams and contaminate them. As a result, these contaminants then run into the sources of water that we use every day and have the capability of harming our families.

This potential risk makes it particularly poignant for families around the world to do their due diligence in investing into treatment for the sources of water they bring into their home. This goes beyond just the water your family drinks from the kitchen faucet. It also includes the plumbing in your home, the sprinkler system and everything in between. Failure to do so can cause a number of illnesses amongst our families.

Take a family living in a more rural environment as an example. The area that surrounds this family is made up of farm fields that grow different crops and house different animals. One particularly rainy night can result in the fecal remains of these farm fields finding their way into near rivers or streams. This can cause the family’s water supply to be infected with E. coli, a bacteria that has been known to cause symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Let’s say this same family has an air conditioning system in their home that hasn’t been properly maintained or investigated since moving into the home. If this family is not careful, these systems can become breeding grounds for another water contaminant, Legionella. This bacteria has been known to enter the respiratory system and lead to Legionnaires disease which typically leads to respiratory problems in individuals who contract it. For a further breakdown of a few of these different contaminants, continue reading.

Pseudomonas: at worst a life-threatening pathogen, pseudomonas is a very common cause of documented infections in the United States each year. This bacteria can be found in living soil in addition to water sources. For most, symptoms of an infection from this bacteria include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sometimes even sepsis. For the safety of your family, regularly maintenance your plumbing systems as it’s most commonly found within these systems in the home.

coli: this bacteria is often found in the digestive systems of living organisms and can seep into drinking water supplies. More often than not, insufficient treatment of wastewater around your area can cause this bacteria to find its way into the home. Drinking water contaminated with this bacteria will often cause some gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid any drinking water if there’s any suspicion of a contamination in your area.

Giardia Lamblia: a lesser known parasite that has been known to infect those drinking unclean water. Highly contagious, this parasite can spread without the carrier being entirely asymptomatic. Signs of infection usually include diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a fever.

Maintaining your family’s safety from these contaminants is no easy task. However, it’s not impossible. Be sure to review the infographic coupled alongside this post for more safety tips for you and your family.

Chris Ebener is a mechanical engineer for LiquiTech, with a proven track record of diagnosing and remediating public water system issues of various sizes and complexity. Ebener is an expert on the biochemical makeup of facility water systems, system architecture and various methodologies of public drinking water treatment.